The Commission had previously increased the amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) allowed in emissions, to give carmakers longer to adapt to new tests introduced following the 2015 diesel emissions test scandal.

But the three cities argued the change would see greater levels of harmful air pollution, claiming the new standards weren’t tough enough on manufacturers and went against EU human rights laws.

In a statement, the court said: “The General Court upholds the actions brought by the cities of Paris, Brussels and Madrid and annuls in part the Commission's regulations setting excessively high oxides of nitrogen emission limits for the tests for new light passenger and commercial vehicles.”

Paris already has restrictions in place to limit harmful air pollution, including a low emissions zone banning petrol and diesel cars registered before 1997 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays.

Since 2016, motorists in Paris and some other French cities are also required to display a clean air sticker on their windscreen to identify their vehicle’s emissions levels.